Wide range of topics during Scott's Sarasota stop

Florida Gov. Rick Scott was in Sarasota County on Thursday to tout the region’s growing reputation as an international spot for rowing.

But it wasn’t the only thing on his mind.

Improving state tourism numbers, his admiration for veterans, college hoops commentator Dick Vitale’s hair style, and State Sen. Mike Bennett’s strong opinions were all part of a nearly 8 minute speech on Thursday kicking off the USRowing Masters National Championships.

Here’s a rundown of what he talked about:

On Tourism:

Given the rowing center’s draw for tourism, Scott spent considerable time talking about the state’s record tourism numbers from last year.

“We’ve had a dramatic increase in tourism,” he told more than 200 people at the USRowing Masters National Championship breakfast. “Last year 91 million people came to our state.”

Scott said Florida should be second to no one in tourism.

“We should absolutely be the No. 1 tourism destination in the world. It’s not going happen if we don’t invest and make things like this happen,” Scott said.

The Benderson Rowing Park, just south of University Parkway, is an old burrow pit that has become an 2,200 meter rowing course.

On Veterans:

After hearing from veterans groups that use the rowing park for Wounded Warrior activities, Scott spent several minutes talking about his gratitute to veterans and his own family history in the military.

“We have to be very thankful that there are individuals like the men and women who were up here that are willing to defend our freedom,” Scott said. “I had an opportunity to serve in the United States Navy, but no one ever shot at me.”

Scott then told the story of his father serving in the 82nd Airborne during World War II.

“Very few of his friends came back alive,” Scott said.

Scott said its all a reminder that Florida is still losing men and women to the war in Afghanistan.

“So we’re still at war.”

On Dick Vitale:

There were lighter notes during Scott’s speech.

After former college basketball coach and ESPN personality Vitale talked about the passion needed to make a dream like the rowing center become real, Scott took to the podium.

“You do have a great haircut,” Scott joked with Vitale, who similary is balding.

Vitale is a Lakewood Ranch resident who has become a big advocate for the rowing facility.

On former State Sen. Mike Bennett:

Few played a bigger role in convincing Scott to back the rowing project than Bennett, who twice played a key role in landing state funding in the budget for the project.

Bennett, now the Manatee Supervisor of Elections, is known for strong opinions and always ready to tell people what he thinks.

But Scott had a little fun with that reputation. When Scott acknowledged Bennett was in the room, he introdued him as somone who is “quite shy and never gives advice.”

On the improving economy:

Scott took a little dig at former Gov. Charlie Crist’s tenure as governor.

Scott reminded the crowd that the year before he took office Florida lost 832,000 jobs.

“Think about that for a second. This is a state that had no income tax, a right to work state, low business tax, gateway to Latin America. People want to come visit here,” Scott said. “And we lost 832,000 jobs. That made no sense.”

Scott said by cutting regulations and taxes, it’s bringing jobs to Florida.

Jeremy Wallace

Jeremy Wallace has covered politics for more than 15 years.
He can be reached by email or call (941) 361-4966.
""More Wallace"
Make sure to "Like" HT Politics on Facebook for all your breaking political news.

Last modified: August 15, 2013
All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be published without permissions. Links are encouraged.